Indianapolis Colts sign Devin Funchess: Grade, reaction and more

CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 23: Devin Funchess (17) wide receiver of Carolina is tackled by Robert Alford (23) of Atlanta during an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and the Atlanta Falcons on December 23, 2018 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

An Indianapolis Colts’ team that won nine of its last 10 games and reached the playoffs in 2018 has added another weapon in wide receiver Devin Funchess.

The league’s free-agent frenzy has officially begun. It’s the frenzy part that’s official. As far as teams inking players to contracts, that becomes a reality this Wednesday at 4:00 pm ET.

In any case, 2018 NFL Comeback Player of the Year Andrew Luck has to be a bit happier these days knowing that the team is adding a talent wideout in the form of Carolina Panthers’ wide receiver Devin Funchess. A second-round pick in ’15, he has begun to come into his own these past two seasons. Since 2017, he’s played in 30 games, made 28 starts and combined to 107 passes for 1,389 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Of course, the news that the team added Funchess was less surprising than the deal itself.

While the feeling by many is that the Colts are investing a lot of money for a short-term deal, general manager Chris Ballard is hoping that the four-year wideout can be the perfect complement to speedster T.Y. Hilton.

Funchess’ last two seasons saw him come into his own and he offers Andrew Luck a big target. You get the feeling the Colts are far from done when it comes to adding weapons to their passing attack. Still, the cost seems a little high and that’s the main reason this grade isn’t a little higher.

Could Funchess wind up being a big asset similar to Eric Ebron in 2018? The jury was out on this move and there are already a few naysayers when it comes to this deal. But Ballard has certainly earned the benefit of the doubt after his two previous offseasons.

It will be interest to see if Ballard and the Colts are done when it comes to adding talent to the wide receiver position, be it via the draft or free agency. Stay tuned.